When you have a home treadmill you can still manage to have a very effective workout regardless of how the weather is doing outside. The home treadmill was one of the first pieces of home fitness equipment appealing to walkers, joggers, runners and a wide range of people. And shopping can be overwhelming for a lot of buyers.
A bit of trivia: The word treadmill originally designated a type of mill which was operated by a person treading the steps of a wheel to grind grain.
On to some facts: And treadmills can have a either an AC or a DC powered motor. Some treadmills monitor your heart by way of sensors that are built into the frame. A heart rate monitor, which is good to have, enables a treadmill to automatically adjust the speed and/or the incline to keep your heart rate within the most optimum zone. You grip it with your hands, but it can only be done if you’re walking not running. Most units come with an electronic console that displays the workout feedback like speed, distance traveled, the time you’ve spent working out, and calories you’ve burned.
Notice that some treadmill heart rate monitors clip right onto an ear or, for more accurate readings, strap onto the chest. The deck is the belt area on which actual running, jogging and walking take place. Most of the models today do have the ability to add an incline to your workout to duplicate running or walking uphill, thereby increasing the intensity of your workout.
The display panels should be easy to read and easy enough to operate. One of the key things to remember is that the larger motors do tend to run cooler and usually require less repair and maintenance.
Before buying a treadmill, make sure the deck area provides enough space for you to exercise comfortably and the belt should work smoothly without slipping or sticking. Buying fitness equipment online has grown at a fast pace over the past few years. Treadmill manufacturers are competing for your business and price wars are creating big savings for buyers.
You may want to spend less money if you’re not really sure if you’ll continue using it or not. You’ll want a treadmill with an aluminum or high alloy steel frame that’s strong enough to support the heaviest runner in your household or anyone else who’ll be using it. Commercial club units are reliable and well constructed so do look into a home version if you like how it operates.
Probably the most important thing to look for in a treadmill is to know how sturdy it is. If possible try out the model you want. You’ll probably want to buy a unit with a motor that delivers 1.5 to 3 continuous, not peak, horsepower though. If you’re planning to use a treadmill purely for walking you’re not likely to need an expensive top-of-the-line machine. Most manufacturers of the commercial treadmills found in gyms and health clubs also produce great home versions.
One indication of the likely longevity of any treadmill is to check out the length of the manufacturer’s warranty. You want a long one if possible, the longer the better. And any treadmill with a belt that causes jerky movements while you walk or run should be completely avoided.
Walking, whether on a treadmill or outside, is one of the best approaches you can take toward physical fitness. More people every day are choosing a healthier lifestyle. The majority of beginning exercisers start out by walking or jogging in their neighborhood. To get even more workouts, think about making your treadmill into a walking and working office by adding a mini-platform to the side rails. And be careful, because any type of jogging or running, whether it’s on a treadmill or not, puts strain on leg and hip joints.
Make sure to take your time and choose a home treadmill that fits into your fitness goals. Do plenty of research online. Home treadmills are an important investment, regardless of the price, and if it’s not right for you, you don’t want to find out after you’ve set it up at home.
Take time to do your research, the same way you would any other major purchase and you’ll find buying a treadmill won’t be difficult. Read the various treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews that you find online and offline so you will have an idea which models and prices are best for you.

Here are some tips to help you buy the right treadmill for you:

- There are many good treadmills available on the market today ranging from those that cost a few hundred dollars to those that cost a few thousand dollars, so it is a good idea to do some research on treadmill prices. You can check prices at the fitness store or you can also surf the net for further price information. Keep in mind that a high-performance treadmill doesn’t have to be expensive.

- Study the treadmill options such as programming, heart monitor, pulse rate and speed meter etc so that you choose a treadmill with only the features you want. Pick the treadmill that fits your exercise needs and fitness goals.

- Once you decide on the treadmill that you think most fits your needs, make sure to test it out. Do not go for a treadmill that looks good but doesn’t work well.

- The treadmill should run smoothly and should not give you knee pain.

Here are some further questions to help you make your purchase decision:

- How much do I want to spend?

Treadmills can cost a good deal of money. Before purchasing your treadmill you need to decide on your budget as your budget determines the quality of the treadmill you purchase.

A lower-priced treadmill could cost around $1000 and a better-quality treadmill around $2500 up to $4500. You could also look into used treadmills as they are much cheaper compared to brand new treadmills.

- What kind of motor do you want?

Most treadmills have two motor controls: the first motor drives the belt and the other one raises and lowers the bed for inclines.

Make sure the belt motor is a continuous duty motor with a speed of at least 1.7 horsepower. But if the motor is not continuous you will have to exert more effort and time when exercising on the treadmill.

Also, make sure that the treadmill does not shake especially when running.

Treadmills can be one of the most expensive pieces of fitness equipment in any home gym. Before you even start to think about what model or brand to buy there are several key factors that you should think about before you make your purchasing decision. That way you are insured to buy the best home treadmill you can for your budget.
1. How much space do you have for the treadmill?
When your using your treadmill you want to make sure that you have plenty of empty space behind you. I’ve heard many stories of people dropping an ipod onto the belt while running or walking. They stop to pick it up only to be propelled off the back of the machine. By making sure that you have enough clearance behind you will not only prevent you from breaking other furnishing, but will also reduce your chance of injury.
2. Where will you store your treadmill when it’s not being used?
If you don’t have a lot of space available, you might want to consider purchasing a folding treadmill that can be folded up and rolled away to store. Just keep in mind how heavy some treadmill mills are and how easily that is going to be accomplished. Also consider the type of flooring under the treadmill. If you have hard wood floors you might not want to scratch them up moving the treadmill around. When you have a storage area picked out, measure this area and have the figures with you when you go to purchase your treadmill. That way you can make sure it will fit.
3. Do you plan on using your treadmill for running or walking?
Walking or running on a treadmill actually puts different demands on the treadmill. When you walk on a treadmill you put more pressure on the treadmill’s belt then when you run. This is because your feet are on the belt more when you walk. This makes the treadmill’s motor work harder. When shopping for a treadmill you need to look at the continuous duty rating for the motor. Make sure that this figure falls somewhere between 1.5 to 2.5 horsepower.
If you are planning to use your treadmill mostly for running, you’ll want to make sure that the length of the treadmill’s running deck is long enough to accommodate your running stride. You should feel comfortable and secure that you have enough room. You’ll want to bring a friend along with you when you go to the store. Have them stand behind you as you run to see if there is enough free space between you and the end of the belt.
4. Decide on your budget before you go to the store.
This way you wouldn’t have to worry about being pressured into buying a treadmill that is out of your range. It also might help to determine the store that you go to. Treadmill prices generally break down into three price ranges. Budget models usually fall somewhere between $500 and $1,500. For midrange models you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to up to $3,000. High quality machines for the elite athlete can be purchase for $3,000 and above. Treadmills come in a wide range of prices. You’ll want to find the best home treadmill for you that falls within your budget range.
5. Be prepared to shop around.
I would strongly recommend that you go to a physical store and try out every model that you are considering. Don’t forget to bring your tape measure with you to check the size of the machine open and folded to make sure it will fit in the space you’ve planned in step one. After you have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 specific machines, shop online. Treadmills are the purchase where it doesn’t matter if you buy from a store or online because the cost of home delivery or shipping from an online dealer cancels each other out. This way you can make sure that you are paying the lowest price for the best machine that you can find.

Most people looking to buy a treadmill are interested in getting a discount.  We all want to save money and get a higher quality product right?

So where can you go to find huge discounts on brand name treadmills?  There are several legitimate ways to get a discount treadmill which I’ll outline in this article.

Please note however that I’m not saying: ‘buy a cheap treadmill’.  With treadmills, you definitely don’t want to skimp on quality. 

A cheap, unstable treadmill with improper cushioning and low quality parts will not only cost you in repairs but in health. You can ruin your joints and cause long term health damage.

So I’m not saying ‘Go cheap’ with your treadmill.  What I am saying is that there ARE several ways to get a high quality treadmill for a discount price. Here they are:

#1) Buy From An Online Fitness Store

There are several online fitness stores that sell a large variety of brand name treadmills directly to you.  Because they are not paying the overhead costs of a store, these savings get passed on to you and you can often save hundreds of dollars on a brand name treadmill.

Plus, most of these stores will give you free shipping (which can save you up to $150).  And you can even save on sales tax in some areas.

One note of caution: Not all fitness stores are alike.  Make sure you buy from an online store that offers proven experience shipping treadmills, secure online ordering and a solid money-back guarantee (a 30 – 60 day money back guarantee is standard with treadmills).

#2) Buy Directly From The Treadmill Manufacturer

Some treadmill manufacturers will sell their treadmills directly to the consumer.  By skipping the middleman (the store) you also save on the mark up price that the store has to add to make a profit.

This can, again, save you hundreds of dollars and get you a brand name treadmill for a discount price.  Like online stores, when you buy directly online from the treadmill manufacturer, you also can usually get free shipping and even save on sales tax.

Again, remember to buy from a manufacturer that offers secure ordering and a 30 – 60 day money back guarantee.

#3) Buy A Used Treadmill

While I don’t really recommend this, some people save money by purchasing a used treadmill.

The main drawback to this option is that there is no warranty to protect your investment.  If your treadmill breaks down you’re either out the money to fix it or out the money you spent to buy it (if you choose not to repair the treadmill).

If you do decide to go this route, make sure you know the make and model of the treadmill and that you’ve checked the store price of the treadmill. This will give you more bargaining power and ensure you don’t overpay for the treadmill.

So those are several ways to get a legitimate discount on your treadmill.  For a list of treadmill manufacturers visit:

http://www.treadmillreview.net/TreadmillStores.html

Enjoy and have fun!